recognizance
[ri-kog-nuh-zuh ns, -kon-uh-]
- Law.
- a bond or obligation of record entered into before a court of record or a magistrate, binding a person to do a particular act.
- the sum pledged as surety on such a bond.
- Archaic. recognition.
- Archaic. a token; badge.
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Origin of recognizance
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for recognizance
Contemporary Examples
He was released within the hour without a bond on his own recognizance.
Williams was released on his own recognizance over the weekend and is expected back before a judge on Feb. 9, 2015.
Addison spent four nights in jail, she told me on FaceTime during a period when she was out on her own recognizance.
Let’s Free Stacey Addison, The Oregon Woman Jailed at the Ends of the EarthChristopher Dickey
October 30, 2014
Luchkiw was released on her own recognizance, as would have normally been the case in such a bust.
She was released on her recognizance and is now back on the streets.
Historical Examples
"A writ of recognizance," the fat man said, handing his paper to the captain.
The Status CivilizationRobert Sheckley
In the Paunsford recognizance Ralegh is set down as of the Court in 1577.
Sir Walter RaleghWilliam Stebbing
Amos Jolliff discharged from his recognizance to attend as a witness.
The Old PikeThomas B. Searight
While here we one afternoon received orders to prepare for a recognizance.
Reminiscences of a PrivateFrank M. Mixson
It was a reprehensible affair, but he was released upon his own recognizance.
recognizance
recognisance
- law
- a bond entered into before a court or magistrate by which a person binds himself to do a specified act, as to appear in court on a stated day, keep the peace, or pay a debt
- a monetary sum pledged to the performance of such an act
- an obsolete word for recognition
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French reconoissance, from reconoistre to recognize
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for recognizance
n.
early 14c., reconisaunce, "a bond acknowledging some obligation binding one over to do some particular act," from Old French reconissance "acknowledgment, recognition" (12c., Modern French reconnaissance), from reconoiss-, present participle stem of reconoistre (see recognize). Related: Recognizant.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper